Annie: Woman unsure about husband's relationship with co-worker

DEAR ANNIE: My husband and I have been married for 12 years. We’ve had our difficulties, but the latest setback has me stymied.

After a two-month separation, “Cliff” and I tried to reconnect. We started to cuddle in the early morning, exchanged goodbye kisses and hugs, and our conversations became more two-sided. He would call or text to say how much he wanted me back.

When I decided to return home, I discovered that he had gotten drunk at a bar with some of our friends and caressed a female co-worker’s leg. I did some digging and found out that Cliff and this woman had been texting after midnight on the same evenings he had been telling me how much I meant to him.

I called this woman and asked what was going on. She denied everything. I was furious that she was not up-front and honest, although Cliff admitted to everything. He also claimed the text messages were not sexual, but were simply chitchat about their workday.

Cliff has never cheated on me. I have forgiven him, but he sees this woman every day at work. He is open to answering all my questions, but I’m not sure his answers are the truth.

We live in a small city and have run into this co-worker a few times when we were out. She and Cliff never acknowledge each other. If everything is as innocent as Cliff claims, why do they act this way? How do I move on from this? — Need To Get Over the Past

It is obvious that your trust in Cliff has eroded. You cannot be expected to get over something when you fear it may still be going on. Insist that Cliff go with you for counseling so you can work on this and he can understand why his behavior is so damaging.